A system and method cure a combination of a top and a bottom substrate with a resin disposed in-between. A cure platform includes a chuck on which the combination rests. A cure device cures the resin. An actuation assembly separates the chuck from the platform to thermally isolate the chuck during a curing operation performed by the cure device. A post cooling assembly may be provided to cool the chuck and the combination after a curing operation is performed by the cure device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A system for curing a combination of a top and a bottom substrate with a resin disposed in-between, comprising: a cure platform including a plurality of chucks on which individual combinations rest; a cure device for curing the resin; an actuation assembly for separating the chuck from the platform to thermally isolate the chuck from the platform during a curing operation performed by the cure device.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the actuation assembly lifts the chuck to the cure device.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the actuation assembly is disposed below the platform and includes a lifting assembly including a lifter head that engages the chuck from below.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the platform is movable and wherein the lifting assembly is fixed in a position near the cure device.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the lifter head includes vacuum-grabbing mechanisms for grabbing an underside of the chuck.
6. The system of claim 3 wherein the lifting mechanism includes a rotary actuator to rotate the lifter head.
7. The system of claim 3 wherein the platform is a rotatable cure table and wherein the lifting assembly is disposed below a cure index and wherein the cure device is disposed above the cure index.
8. A method of curing a combination of a top and a bottom substrate with a resin disposed in-between, comprising: resting the combination on a chuck positioned in a cure platform, wherein the platform includes a plurality of chucks on which individual combinations rest; curing the resin; and separating the chuck from the platform to thermally isolate the chuck from the platfrom during a curing operation.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the chuck is separated from the platform by lifting the chuck to the cure device.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the chuck is lifted by engaging the chuck from below and pushing it up.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the platform is moved to position the combination at a cure index and wherein the chuck is lifted to the cure device.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the chuck is vacuum-grabbed from below during the lifting operation.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the chuck is rotated while it is lifted.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
May 19, 1998
July 3, 2001
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